The Girls’ Hockey team before a recent game. Photo provided.
With the school year just underway, it means girls’ hockey has begun.
“This team has already shown lots of promising talent and has shown they are ready to work hard and become better,” Oceanne Thiffault, a third-year senior, said. “Within the first week of practice, it was clear that this team has potential and is ready for a great season. The team is made up of eleven returners and eleven newcomers. Even with half the team being newcomers, the team clicked instantly,” Thiffault said. “I was worried at first, but the second I returned to school I felt we all clicked together even faster than my first two years, we instantly became family,” she added.
The Northwood girls’ hockey team had a strong showing at their first tournament, the NAHA Labor Day tournament in Rockland, Massachusetts, losing in a shootout in the semifinal game against the Boston Jr. Eagles. Cora Major ‘27 scored her first Northwood goal, and goalie Annette Zuck ‘27 had her first Northwood win.
The Girls’ Hockey team attended a Red Sox game during their pre-season. Photo provided.
Even though this was an excellent weekend for Northwood to build on the ice, they also built their chemistry off the ice by attending a Boston Red Sox game. “Going to watch the Red Sox game was a great opportunity to build team chemistry early on in the season with everyone cheering and having a great time,” Sara Martin, a second-year senior, said.
Although the season has just begun, the team already has five college commits, the most recent being Kaidence Wright ‘27, a first-year junior, to Lindenwood University, and Penelope St. Pierre ‘27 to Colgate University. “I am super excited to commit to Colgate University,” St. Pierre said. “I would have never been able to go there without the support that Northwood gave me, but mostly my coaches, teachers, and, most importantly, my teammates. My accomplishment is the start of a new adventure for the next couple of years.”
The girls’ early success on and off the ice sets the tone for an exciting season, as they continue to grow as players and people. “We are a strong group of girls that are excited for the year ahead,” Second-year senior and captain Kate Elbrecht said. “Already, the compete level is high, and the girls are ready to work on the ice and in the classroom,” she added.
